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involuntary shiver as Ian quoted her dad’s catchphrase verbatim. ‘But it might. I’m not my father and I’m not going to do business the way he did. From here on in my focus will be on the artwork and marketing. Your focus will be the trees and live plants.’
    Ian’s face blanched and he opened and closed his mouth a few times. Eventually he spoke. ‘When were you thinking of starting?’
    ‘I’ll craft some wire-work flowers and some wind catchers and we’ll offer them with flowering plants for Valentine’s Day. I’ll work out a schedule for the next few weeks and that will give us an idea on how many will be ready for February first. We’ll order the plants and re-pot into coloured pots — red, white and pink for our first foray.’
    Ian pulled a worn spiral notebook and pencil from his breast pocket and made some notes. ‘Right you are then.’ He pushed to his feet. ‘I’d need to order by January twenty-fifth to guarantee delivery by the first.’
    She circled the date on her desk blotter. ‘Okay then. I’ll work towards that. Any questions?’
    Ian shook his head and pushed the chair back. He stopped at the door and Layla’s heart jumped into her throat.
    ‘I hope you know what you’re doing.’
    She met his stare full-on. ‘I definitely do.’
    ***
    Layla was sitting out on the deck, Whisky at her feet, enjoying the evening breeze when Carise rang her back. She cut in on her best friend before she’d finished saying hello. ‘I’ve decided to fight.’
    ‘After checking he’s single?’ Carise paused. ‘What’s his name, by the way?’
    ‘Tate.’
    ‘Single Tate you fight for. Married Tate you run away from as fast as your little legs will carry you.’
    ‘That’s the plan.’ Layla rubbed Whisky’s back with her foot. ‘And, you’ll be proud of me. I confronted Ian today.’
    ‘Holy cow. How did that go?’
    ‘I’d been out on a job in forty degree heat and when I got back I found him in my office checking the schedule, and I lost my temper. I think he’s got it now. I’m not waiting patiently to fall into his arms, thereby gifting him half share in Bonsai Christmas and all of its profits. Then I laid the change of direction for the business onto him.’
    Carise whistled through her teeth. ‘Geez, you must have been fired up. How’d he take it?’
    ‘Quietly and unblinkingly. If unblinkingly is a word. I swear the man didn’t blink for a full five minutes.’
    ‘If you were that blunt he was probably frozen with shock.’
    ‘I made it very clear I am not interested. I want more from life than the crap I’ve been putting up with. I’m never going to settle for Ian Creswick and he needed to know that. From here on in, I’m going to live my life the way I want to, and not be worried what everyone else thinks is right for me.’
    Carise laughed. ‘You go girl.’
    ***
    Acid ate away inside Tate’s chest as he read the subject line of Layla’s latest email.
    Please Read This Tate McAuliffe — It’s Important .
    An abusive rant was no more than he deserved after what he’d said in his last email. He rubbed his breastbone to ease the pain and considered his options. He desperately wanted to delete it unread, but a recent lecture from the CO about actions and consequences made him stop. The pain in his chest got worse. He hovered the mouse over the email, but he didn’t click. His fingers were frozen.
    ‘Open it.’ His voice was unnaturally loud in the pre-dawn quiet of the computer room. He couldn’t delete it unread, so he had to get opening it over and done with. He clicked his mouse.
    Hi Tate ,
    I received your email .
    I read it .
    And I disagree that we should stop emailing .
    I love Christmas and I’m proud to say it. Despite the fact it’s the anniversary of my brother’s death and that now I find myself visiting three graves every Christmas morning .
    I love my family and I love spending time with them. I love celebrating with my friends and relations,